The KS Hoʻokahua Cultural Vibrancy Group recently hosted Makahiki games and activities for more than 500 KS Kapālama High School students. The events culminated with honuhonu, or seated wrestling matches.
The students first had a lesson on Hawaiian food preparation creating saleta limu, or limu salad, consisting of kaʻukama (cucumber), ʻōhiʻalomi (tomato), and limu manauea (commonly known as ogo).
‘Inamona (kukui nut relish), paʻakai (salt), and ʻōpae (dried shrimp) were the ʻīnaʻi, or garnishes, to help flavor the salad.
Each student got to sample some of the delicious limu.
The offering by Hoʻokahua was a presentation on the history of Makahiki which included a game he called “You don’t know Lono,” led by Hawaiian arts kumu Kumulāʻau Sing.
Their session concluded with the physical challenge of learning and competing in honuhonu - seated wrestling. Before the matches began, Cultural Specialist Lāiana Kanoa-Wong guided the students through stretching exercises.
Hoʻokahua Assessment Manager Kānealiʻi Ng-Osorio and Cultural Specialist Lāiana Kanoa-Wong demonstrate honuhonu.
As the day progressed, the honuhonu matches became serious contests.
The competition was enjoyed by all. Competitors showed their respect for each other at the end of each match.
Students learned that Makahiki season is a time of peace, relaxation, healing, and entertainment.
